Spain entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the favorites to lift the trophy but left their opening match with just one point. Goalkeeper David Raya now wants answers and, more importantly, goals.
Raya Backs Spain to Be More Clinical
Raya has backed Spain to be "more clinical" in Sunday's World Cup group clash with Saudi Arabia, telling ESPN that the team's morale has not been dented by the draw with Cape Verde. The reigning European champions were stunned into a goalless draw by World Cup debutants Cape Verde in Atlanta on June 15, firing a whopping 27 shots compared to their opponents' six, but failing to convert any of the seven they managed on target.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, who turned 40 just weeks before the tournament, was inspired, producing several brilliant stops to deny Mikel Oyarzabal, Aymeric Laporte, and Ferran Torres, who also struck the crossbar. For a team of Spain's quality, it was a deeply frustrating night. But Raya insists the dressing room is not in panic mode.
No Panic in the Dressing Room
"A competition like this is very long, and as we've always said, a lot of stories don't start out how you want," Raya said. "We can't do anything about the first game, but we have to look to the second game and be demanding, and get the three points."
Adding to Spain's problems, star winger Lamine Yamal was not fit to start against Cape Verde, with de la Fuente confirming a day before the match that he was still recovering from injury. Yamal was eventually introduced off the bench after 70 minutes, but even his presence could not unlock a disciplined Cape Verde backline.
Critical Match Against Saudi Arabia
Spain face Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday knowing that another dropped result could leave their World Cup campaign hanging by a thread. The talent is undeniable. The clinical edge, so far, has been missing.
